Beaver Leader's Handbook - Scouts Canada

This resource also includes some JUMPSTART planning sheets for recording your planned programs;
it has space for reminders about the equipment you’ll need, notices and the timing of
activities. It’s very helpful to keep track of your colony programs, noting how Beavers enjoyed
various activities. A record like this enables your leadership team to review program areas which
should be covered in future plans to ensure a balanced program, or to identify popular games
so your Beavers can play them again.
This information will help a new leader fit in with the team and be in tune with the kinds of
activities used in the colony. Through good record keeping, Beavers are assured of high quality
programming now and into the future.
Whether your team has just taken over a colony or you’ve joined an established leadership
team, ask for information about the group’s past activities.
Resource Recruitment
You need one leader to look after the colony resource list, and to contact or produce resources when
required. If program planning identifies the need for a resource person, place, publication or other
material, the leader who happens to hold the resource responsibility at the time makes arrangements
to get what is needed, either personally or through the group committee. (The Resources section
of Chapter 11 has information to help you identify the kind of help you may need.)
Home Resources
Parents or guardians are a very important source of support to a leadership team. Older brothers
and sisters are good resource people, too. Well-organized Beaver colonies establish a good
rapport with parents immediately; the relationship benefits leaders, parents and children. One
of the team’s tasks is to boost parental interest and commitment. Do this by:
4 Informing parents about the program
4 Writing a short newsletter
4 Keeping in touch about coming events
4 Asking for feedback about their child’s involvement.
Many colonies encourage parents to take part in colony meetings on a rotating basis. Others
draw from a regular pool of special event helpers, telephone message people, bakers and craft
specialists. Ask parents about special interests and talents that they might be willing to share.
You’ll find it most effective to ask a person to do a specific job. Provide helpers with good
instructions, help them to be relaxed and comfortable, and thank them for their help.
Group and Area Representatives
Unlike other sections, the Beaver colony doesn’t have one leader in charge of the section who
is a member of the group committee, and attends its meeting.
It’s important that the colony is represented at these meetings, because this is where key funding,
recruiting and resourcing decisions are made. These decisions affect your colony’s operation.
Select a representative to carry the colony’s voice, and participate in the decision-making.
Also, you need a representative to attend Area Scouters’ meetings. Why? This is where your
colony’s participation in the wider Scouting picture usually starts. Here you’ll learn about sharing
sessions, Scouter’s Clubs and area events. You want your colony to be represented at area
gatherings.
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